Xi Jinping visits North Korea. 95% of its economy depends on China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea for the first time since 2019. The trip highlights Pyongyang’s deep economic dependence on Beijing. According to trade data, China accounts for 95% of North Korea’s legitimate trade. This trade includes food, fuel, and machinery. Without it, the North Korean economy would likely collapse. Beyond legal trade, North Korea also survives through hacking, arms sales, and money sent home by its workers abroad. These activities provide hard currency that the official economy cannot generate. But China remains the main lifeline. The visit signals that Beijing continues to prop up its isolated neighbor, even as international sanctions remain in place.